I suppose many people posted resolutions yesterday. Resolutions never start on January 1st, of course. That day is a freebie. It’s a holiday.

And this year, with the 2nd and 3rd being a weekend – and Epiphany, too – I don’t see how resolutions could start then either.

Mondays are always good for fresh starts. So, nothing I post applies yet. This is all stuff for next week and beyond.

First of all, DIET. I’ve been eating way too many Russian Tea Cakes (made with pecans, not walnuts, BTW) and drinking too much eggnog. I’ve put on the usual 5 or so holiday pounds. Time to stop. This year, in fact, I think is the perfect year to go vegetarian. Why not? I hear it’s healthy, so let’s go healthy. I’m going to eat only organic, locally grown, raw fruits and vegetables. And since local temperatures are in the 30’s, I’m pretty sure this will mean no fruits or vegetables until we move to Georgia. But it’s what they say is the best way to eat, and I’m all about doing the best things. I’m also going to make my own bread, from my own ground wheat, grown locally and organically. And since I’m not going to be a vegan (really, there is no harm to a chicken when you take the egg), I’ll churn my own butter to put on top.

Next, EXERCISE. Three marathons. I can do it. I just need to set my mind to it.

SLEEP. 10 pm to 5 am every day. No exceptions.

READING. Two books a week.

WRITING. I know there’s a 500 page novel inside me. I will get it out.

DECLUTTERING. I’m thinking Japanese simplicity. We don’t need toys anyway.

PRAYER LIFE. Daily rosary followed by daily Mass. With all the kids. Just think how many souls will get out of purgatory.

BEING A WIFE. Dates once a week with my husband. I will not get annoyed by his behavior. I will not nag him. I will not complain about how many hours he works or if he is late for dinner or if he doesn’t like my tofu and bean sprout stir fry.

MOTHERING. I will never raise my voice. I will never get angry. I will follow through on all declared punishments. I will never ignore noises from three rooms away when I know they are misbehaving. I will always get up immediately to respond to a child who is ignoring a direct order. I will hug my children at least 5 times a day, especially the older ones.

MONEY. I will put half our income aside for the children’s college fund. The other half I will give to the poor.

Dream big. I am pretty sure I will have as much success with these resolutions as I would with any others.